Bed and cylinder tape printing machine



May 18, 1965 A. MARMOR ETAL BED AND CYLINDER TAPE PRINTING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 19, 1962 INVENTORS. ADRIAN MARMOR WALTER E.COLBURN BY AGENT SW10 8 9 SW] May 1965 A. MARMGR ETAL BED FINE @YEINDER'TAPE. PRINTING MACHINE filed Jam 19623 81Shee-cs-Sheet 2 May 1158, 11

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BED AND CYLINDER TAPE PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1962 8Sheets-Sheet 8 United States Patent 3,183,834 BED AND CYLINDER TAPEPRINTING MACHINE Adrian Marrnor, Bryn Mawr, and Walter E. Coibnrn,

Havertown, Pa, assignors to Brewer Pharmacal Engineering Corporation,Upper Darby, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 19, 1962, Ser.No. 167,368 17 Claims. (Cl. 101-469) The invention hereinafter describedand claimed relates to recording machines, but more specifically to thattype of recording machine adapted to print or make an impression of typeelements, or plates having raised indicia thereon. More particularly,the invention has to do with recorders of the type shown and describedin the co-pending application entitled Inventory Control System andApparatus, Serial No. 162,630 filed December 12, 1961, in the names ofFrederic T. C. Brewer, William A. White, and Walter E. Colbu-rmandassigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

Recorders of this general type are well known having been in use for anumber of years for addressing mailing pieces. In such machines aplurality of addressing plates having raised indicia thereon are fedthrough the machine in consecutive order and, as each passes through theprinting station, its indicia is impressed upon the envelope or anaddress sticker to be applied to a mailing piece, such as a magazine.

Machines of this general type are also now used for charge-platetransactions in department stores, banks, gas stations, etc. In thesemachines the plates are placed in the printer, the charge slip placedover it and then some pressure meansusually a ro1ler--is applied, and animpression of the indicia on the plate is transferred to the chargeslip.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a recordingmachine of this general type but characterized by its improvedconstruction enabling an improved mode of operation and record makingnever before attained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a recording machinewherein a plurality of the said printing memhere or plates may quicklyand easily be placed in the machine and the indicia thereon all recordedsimultaneously with one cycle of operation of the machine.

A further object of the invention i to provide such a recorder which iscyclically operable only after certain pre-operative conditions havebeen met.

Still further the invention has as an object to provide a recordermaking it possible to utilize pressure sensitive record tape upon whichthe raised indicia of the printing plates may be recorded in response topressure thereof against the plates.

With still more specificity, the invention has as an object to provide arecording machine of this type enclosed in a locked housing but withmeans for conveniently from the outside of the housing moving theprinting plates into and out of printing position within the housing.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide in such anenclosed machine, means for making an impression of the plate indicia ona charge-voucher or other record means inserted into printing positionfrom the outside of the housing and available to the operator of themachine" after the impression has been made.

In accordance with the above objects and first briefly described theinvention comprises in its broad aspects a record-er or printing machineoperable only in the presence of removable key plates in the machine tomake an impression on a record medium of indicia on the plates. Morespecifically, but still in its broader aspects, the invention comprisesa recorder or printing machine wherein ice means is provided for feedinga continuous tape from a supply reel across a printing position to atake-up reel and including reciprocable shuttle means for removablysupporting key plates having raised indicia thereon whereby the platesmay be moved transversely to the direction of tape movement to and froma printing position wherein a roller platen, cyclically operable onlywhen plates are present on the shuttle, may be moved transversely acrossthe shuttle to urge the tape, and/or other record medium placed on theshuttle, tightly against the raised indicia thus to make an impressionthereof upon the record medium, after which the shuttle may be movedfrom the printing position to a position enabling convenient replacementor removal of the key plates in preparation for a subsequent cycle ofoperation. I

These and other objects of the present invention and the variousfeatures and details of the recording machine of the present inventionare hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the recording machine removed fromits housing and with parts broken away more clearly to show details ofits construction;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1 and showinga tape take-up reel and its drive mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a sectional View taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1 and showingthe tape supply reel and itscontrol mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 andshowing a portion of the drive means;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1 andshowing the plate holding shuttle in plain View;

,FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section View taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG.6;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line Iii-19 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 11-11 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 1212 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a fragmentary portion of theapparatus as shown in' FIG. 1, but on an enlarged scale and showing inbroken lines various operative conditions of the mechanism;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the roller platen taken alongthe lines 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a fragentary sectional view of the platen support means takenalong the line 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 16-16 ofFIG. 13 and showing a detail of the record tape feeding means;

FIGS. 17, 18' and 19 are top plan views of various printing or keyplates adapted for use in the machine;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a typical chargevoucher adapted for usein the machine;

FIG. 21 is a general view of the apparatus of the invention as enclosedin a locked housing, and showing the plate holding shuttle in itsextended position;

FIG. 22 is an elevat-ional view of a modified form of an element of themachine;

FIG. 23 is a schematic of asuitable control circuit for the machine.

FIG. 24 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the invention;and

Patented May 18, 1985 .13 FIG. is a motion diagram of the apparatus Inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention and withreference to the details of the variof FIG.

ous figures of drawings, and first with reference to FIG.-

33 of a supply reel 34 which, as seen more clearly in FIG. 4, is securedto end 35 of a shaft 36 rotatably mounted, as by roller bearings 37, ina boss 38 formed integrally with base 30. Rotation of shaft 36 andconsequently reel 34, as described hereinafter, is controlled by afriction brake 3% including a friction disc 40 carried by a brake disc42 slidably mounted over shaft 35 and secured thereto as by pin 44having its ends secured in a sleeve 46 on disc 42, and its intermediateportion passing through a slot 48 in shaft 36. Disc 40 is urged againsta brake plate 49 secured to base plate 36 around the shaft, as by a coilspring 50 having one end surrounding the sleeve 46 and urged against thedisc 42, and its other end surrounding a sleeve 52 on the underside of anut 54 threaded on the outer end 56 of the shaft. Adjustment of thespring tensionis attained by varying the position of nut 54 on the shaftafter which the position is secured by a lock nut 58. The inner end ofthe shaft-the lower end as seen in FIG. 4-is provided with a flange 60cooperating with spring 50 to resiliently secure the position of theshaft in its bearings.

The tape reel 34'comprises the spindle or hub 33 and, a wide flange 66secured between the hub and flange 60. The tape supply 31 is usually ona wooden spool 7% for mounting the tape upon spindle 33. In the presentembodiment, the inner end of the spindle is provided with an enlargement72 of substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of spool'70, and the outer end of the spindle carries a locking cam mechanism 74pivotally mounted in a slot 76 in the outer end of the spindle by a pin78. In mounting the tape on spindle 33 the spool 78 is slipped over thespindlewith the lock:

80, after which the cam is rotated to the full line position,

in which projections 82 on opposite sides thereof move into grippingengagement with the inner surface of the spool thus tightly to securethe tape supply to reel 34.

While other types of record tape might conveniently be used, in thepresent illustrated form of the invention it' is preferred to use a typewhich will receive an impression of the indicia elements in response topressure alone. Such a tape is manufactured by National Cash RegisterCompany under the trade name NCR Tape, and in the type used hereincludes two separable layers 84 and 86 (see FIG. 1) chemicallycooperating under pressure to reproduce printing indicia upon the innersurface of layer 86. It will be understood that the tape can also takeother forms, such as a layer of plain paper.

and a layer of carbon tape.

Still with reference to FIG. 1, it is seen that tape 32 preferably isfed from the lower periphery of the tape roll to the left over a guideroller 91), downwardly over a pair of guide rollers 92 and 94 where thetape layers separate, to the right over the shuttle mechanism 96, underroller platen 98, over pin 108 through jaws 182 and 104 of the tape feedmechanism 1106, around idler rollers 198 and 1 10, upwardly and overidler rollers 1512 and 114 to take-up spools 1-16Vand 118 respectively.A

feature of the tape feed just described lies in the separation of thelayers 84 and 86 shortly after the tape leaves the supply reel. Reels ofseparable layers, such as used here, present a problem in handling theslack due to the increasing lengthof one of the layers as the tapeis'fed from the reel. Early separation of the layers overcomes thisdiificulty by,permitting each to be handled individually as describedbelow. Pin 1% cooperates 4 with idler roller 94 to maintain the tapewell above the top of the shuttle 96 out of the path of the shuttle whenit is moved to and from its printing position as described hereinafter.

All of the above mentioned idler rollers are similar in construction andmounting, therefore only one (112) has been shown in detail in FIG. 3which also shows details of take-up reel 118, it being understood thattake- .up reel 116 is similar.

Idler roller 112 comprises a spool 120 rotatably mounted on a spindle122 between a C-shaped washer 124 on the outer end of the spindle and aboss 126 integral with base plate 36 and in which the inner end of thespindle is suitably secured, such as by a press fit or by threading.

Take-up roller 118 includes a spool 130 having a rear flange 132, boththreaded onto the left-hand end 134 of shaft 136 which is rotatablymounted in a boss 138 on base plate 30 as by roller bearings 140 and142. A shaft flange 144 on the left hand side of boss 138 and a disc 146secured on shaft 136 on the right-hand side of the boss, as by set screw148, positions the shaft on plate 30. Rotatably mounted on a sleeve 150'extending from clutch disc 146 and around the shaft, is a drive pulleyor sheave 152 normally urged to the left against friction clutch face154 of disc 146 by a coil spring 156 surrounding sleeve 15%), with oneend urged against the right-hand face of sheave 152 thus to bias thesheave in frictional driving engagement with clutch face 154. The outerend of the spring is retained by a nut 158 threaded upon the outer endof sleeve 1519. Adjustment of the spring tension may be made by turningnut 158 in one direction or the other and locking it in position by locknut 16!). It is now evident that spool 130 may be rotated by drivingsheave 152 in the manner described hereinafter, but it will beunderstood that if the spool is not free to rotate, the sheave maycontinue independently to rotate on sleeve 150. As mentioned previously,take-up roller 116 is exactly similar to take-up reel 118, and thereforeits description is omitted. A feature of this friction clutch means isits adaptability for sub-assembly construction. nuts 158 and 160 may allbe pre-assembled on sleeve 150 of clutch disc 146 with pro-adjustedtension against clutch face 154. The sub-assembly is then in conditionfor being slipped over shaft 136 and secured in driving engagementtherewith by set screw 148.

The manner in which the take-up reels are driven will be describedhereinafter in connection with the operation of the apparatus. However,by way of brief explanation at this point, and with reference to FIG. 2,it willbe seen that sheaves 152 may be rotated by a toothed drive belt162 threaded over the sheaves and around a drive gear 164 which, as seenin FIG. 5, is rotatably journalled in a boss 166 on base plate 38 byshaft 168 supported on roller bearings 170 and 172. Sheaves 152 are alsoprovided with teeth (not shown) for meshing with the teeth on the drivebelt 162 thus to provide positive drive and timing thereof. The shaft168 comprises an extension of the drive shaft of a motor 174 cyclicallyoperable as explained hereinafter for one complete rotation with eachoperation of the machine.

In the initial feeding of the tape from the supply reel 34 to take-upreels 116 and 118, the ends of layers 84 Turning nowto the details ofshuttle 96, it is seen in FIG. 1 that it comprises generally two basicelements,

a fixed bed plate and a carriage 182, the carriage being mounted on thebed plate for slidable movement transverselyof the tape movement betweena retracted terminal printing position adjacent the roller platen 98Note that sheave 152, spring 156,

and beneath the tape, to an extended terminal position projectingforwardly of the platen (FIGS. "12 and 21) and in a position removedfrom beneath the tape convenient for the placement of the indiciabearing plates on the top of the carriageor the removal therefromasdescribed hereinafter. To provide for the slidable mounting of carriage182 on the bed plate, the latter is provided with upwardly projectingguide lugs 184 and 186 on its fore and aft edges respectively, as seenin FIG. 12, and, as seen in FIG. 1, on opposite side edges of the bedplate. Each of the lugs is angularly undercut, as indicated at 183' inFIG. 1, thus to receive the mating bevelled edges 190 of the carriagebase plate 192. As seen in FIG. 6, the base plate has a trailing portion124- extending to the rear of carriage182, thus to provide means forretaining the carriage on the bed plate when the carriage is moved toits extended position.

The above mentioned terminal positions of the carriage are determined bycontact of pins 195 and 196 depending from the underside of the rear andfront portions of base plate 192, with the rear and front edges of fixedbed plate 180, grooves 195A and 126A being provided at these points ofcontact thus to increase the movement without decreasing the dimensionsof the bed plate.

In this preferred form of the invention, carriage 182 is ofsubstantially solid block construction with its top surface divided intothree areas 197, 198 and 2%, each adapted to receive a printing orcharge-plate, and in this embodiment, each being of a different size. Byway of example, and as described in the above identified copendingapplication wherein the machine is used at a drug issuing station of ahospital to record the issuance of drugs, the three plates mightcomprise: first, a hospital patient plate identifying the patient, hisdoctor and any other pertinent information required by the particularhospital in which the apparatus is installed, this plate beingillustrated in FIG. 17; secondly, a drug plate to identify theparticular drug to be issued to the patient, as shown in FIG. 18; andthirdly, a plate comprising the nurse-identification key, which, asshown in FIG. 19 by way of example, identifies nurse No. 23 on thehospital records. For further identification in the various figures ofdrawings, these plates have been identified by the reference character202, 204 and 296 respectively.

The carriage is provided with plate retaining means including a frame203 (FIGS. 6 and 8) having side walls are and 212 on its opposite sideswhich extend downwardly and in engagement with the opposite side wallsof the carriage. The frame is pivotally mounted to the carriage at itsrear edge, as seen in FIG. 12, by a pin 214 extending through side walls210 and 212 and the carriage block, being secured thereto by splitwashers 216 on its ends. The side walls of the frame are joined togetherat their front edges by a cross rail 218 and at their rear edges by across rail 220. Intermediate the side walls 210 and 212, and secured tocross rails 218 and 220 as by rivets, welding or other suitable means,is a pair of downwardly extending walls 222 and 224, the carriage block182 being provided with slots 226 and 228 at these points to receive thewalls, as shown more clearly in FIG. 7. These walls cooperate with theside walls to define the plate receiving areas 197, 198 and 26 of theshuttle.

Secured to cross rail 220 is a bar 230 having a forwardly projecting lug232 slightly spaced above cross rail 220 thus to provide means forsecuring a chargevoucher (FIG. 20) over the shuttle to receive animpression of the indicia upon the indicia plates during a cycle ofoperation of the machine, as explained hereinafter. Referring to FIG.10, it is seen that means is provided to secure the charge-voucherbeneath tab 232. As seen here, carriage 182 is provided with a bore 234having an extension 236 of smaller diameter to receive pin 233 having anenlarged portion 240 of the same 6 diameter as bore 234 and cooperatingwith the shoulder 240 to limit the upward movement of pin 238 to thatshown. The pin is biased to its upper extremity by a coil spring 242positioned in bore 234 between the enlarged shoulder portion 24% of thepin base plate 192 of the carriage.

Cross rail 220 is provided with a downwardly turned tab portion 244slightly spaced from, but parallel to rear wall 246 of the carriagemember. As shown in FIG. 7, a plunger 248 is provided in a bore 250 inrear wall 246 of the carriage and is biased against the downturned tabby a coil spring 252, thus to urge frame 298 in a clock-wise directionabout its pivot 214 to hold the frame closely adjacent the top surfaceof the carriage. When in this position, the frame, as shown'in FIG. 9,will be conditioned to clamp key-plates 202 204 and 2% tightly to thecarriage. Pins 254 are provided at the rear of the top surface of thecarriage to provide stop means for the key plates as they are slid intoposition on the shuttle. FIG. 11 shows spring means consisting of atension spring element 256 as a further means for clamping the keyplates to the shuttle.

As indicated in broken lines 258 on FIG. 12, when the carriage is movedto its extended position projecting from bed plate 185), frame 208 is inan angularly raised condition relative to the top surface of carriage182 thus to condition the carriage for receipt of, or removal of the keyplates therefrom. In the presently illustrated embodiment of theinvention, means for so raising the frame against the spring pressure ofplunger 248 (FIG. 7) is provided by a cam pin 259 in a trailing portion260 of a side wall 212 which, when the shuttle moves forward, engagescam surface 2&3 of a fixed lug 264, and as the shuttle continues to moveforward, cams frame 2&8 upwardly in a clock-wise direction, at the sametime overcoming the spring pressure exerted on rear tab 244 by plunger248 (FIG. 7). In the fully extended position of the carriage, cam pin259 is upon the flat surface 26d, thus to hold the frame in its raisedcondition while the carriage is extended. A handle 267 (FIG. 21) isprovided for moving the shuttle carriage.

A normally open switch, as shown in FIG. 8, is adjustably attached tobase plate 30 as by screws 268 extending through slot 279 in bracket 272upon which the switches are mounted. A switch is located at the rear ofand in line with each of the key plate sections of the carriage for thepurpose to be described hereinafter. By way of explanation at thispoint, however, each key receiving area of the carriage is provided atits trailing edge with a switch actuating arm 274' pivotally mounted tothe carriage by pin 214' and normally held-by its own weight-in thebroken line position indicated by numeral 278. When the carriagesansplates'is moved from its extended to its retracted position, the switchactuator arm 28% contacts end portion 282 of arm 274 and pivots it toits full line condition. However, when the key plates are in positionupon the carriage, as

described above, and the carriage is moved to its retracted position,movement of member 274 to its full line position is prevented by contactof projections 284 against the under side of the plates. When thiscondition exists, end portion 282 remains in its broken line positionand moves switch arm 280 upwardly to close the, switch for the purposeto be explained hereinafter;

Means for preventing the carriage being moved from its retracted to itsextended position under certain'conditions of operation, is illustratedin FIG. 6, and comprises a solenoid 285 secured to a projection 286 offrame 30 by way of bracket 287 secured to the' frame by screws. When thesolenoid is energized its armature 288 is moved to its extendedposition, as shown in broken lines, into' a notch 289 formed in the edge290 of the trailing portion 194 of the shuttle carriage base plate, thusto prevent the shuttle from being moved to itsextended position.However, when the solenoid is de-energized, the armature is moved byspring 291 to its retracted position.

On the opposite side of the shuttle carriage base plate from thesolenoid 285 is an imprinter for validating operation of the recorderunder certain conditions, as more fully described in the above mentionedco-pending application. More specifically, it comprises a solenoid 292secured to a projection 293 of frame 30, as by bracket 294 and screws2%. Armature 298 of this solenoid is provided with a link extension 300secured thereto by pin 302. The other end of the link extension ispivotally secured to the lower end of a crank arm 304, as seen moreclearly in FIG. 13. The upper end of the arm is secured to the end of ashaft 306 rotatably mounted in projection 293 of base plate 30. Securedover the right hand end of shaft 306 on the other side of the frameprojection is a sleeve 310 having a pin 312 projecting from itsperiphery in a position to be moved to and from printing positionsolenoid 292, as will be explained later.

Having now described the shuttle and its movement transverse to themovement of tape 32 and between extended and retracted positions whereinthe indieia bearing key plates may either be inserted or removed, let usnow consider the means for imprinting the indicia of the key plates uponthe above mentioned record mediums when the shuttle is in its retractedposition containing key plates.

As seen in FIG. 13, base plate 3% is provided with a pair of spacedapart forwardly projecting walls 316 and 318. Spaced from each other,but extending across and preferably parallel with the top surface of theshuttle carriage 182, is a pair of guide rods 320 and 322 (FIG. 15).Slidably mounted on these guide rods is a substantially U-shaped slidemember 324, the opposite legs 326 and 328 of which are bored, asindicated at 330 and 332, for receiving the guide rods whereby the slidemay be moved between the retracted and extended positions shown by thefull and broken line in FIG. 13,'and by means described below. Bores 330and 332 are of greater diameter than rods 320 and 322 but the oppositeends of the bores are provided with bearing members 334 and 336 toengage the rails. For reasons to be more fully disclosed hereinafter,means is provided to afford frictional resistance against free slidingmovement of slide 324 on the rails. This means comprises a springpressed plunger 338, the frictional engagement thereof with rod 320being adjustable by turning screw 341) either inwardly or outwardly, asdesired.

Mounted to slide 324 between its legs 326 and 328 for limited pivotalmovement relative thereto, as by pins 342 and 344 (FIG. 15), is a platencarrying block 346 to which the roller platen 348 is mounted, as shownin FIG. 14. The platen comprises a roller 350 preferably of slightlyresilient material, rotatably mounted between depending legs 352 and 354of an inverted U-shaped yoke 356 as by axle 358. The yoke is mounted toplaten block 346 by an upwardly but angularly extending shaft 363projecting through block 346 with a nut 362 threaded on its upper end.A. pair of coil springs 364 and see, one on each side of shaft 360,urges the yoke and consequently roller 350 in a resiliently conditioneddownward position. a

' Means for moving the slide to and fro over guide rod 320 and 322 isprovided by crank means 370 shown at the right-hand side of FIG. 13. Acrank arm 372 is fixed to the outer end 374 of motor shaft 168, see FIG.5 also. Rotatably secured to the. outer end of crank arm 372 is one endof a link 376, the other end of which is pivotally secured to platenblock 346 by pin 378 (F 1G. 15). The left end 373 of link 376, thepresent form of the invention, comprises a yoke 380, the ends of whichspan the upwardly projecting abutment 382 through which pin 378 extendsto secure the link to the platen block. The right-hand end of thelink'is an enlarged arm portion 383 threadedly receiving the right endof an intermediate link portion formed by rod 384. The length of thelink may be adjusted by turning the rod either inwardly or outwardly ofarm 383 and locking it in position by the lock means 386 comprising apair of lock nuts.

The full line condition of the mechanism, as shown in FIG. 13,illustrates the condition of the apparatus shortly after beingenergized, as will be described hereinafter, and after crank 372 hasrotated approximately forty-five degrees from its start position. Theplaten block 346 has been rotated counter-clockwise from a position inwhich the platen roller 350 was in the broken line position at 3511A, tothe full line position determined by the position of an adjustable stoppin 388 in block 324, and wherein the roller is slightly to the right ofa line drawn perpendicularly through pivot pin 342 (such as line 15-15)whereby the forces against the roller as it moves across shuttle 96 willbe in a direction to the right of pivot pin 342 thereby to defeat anytendency of the roller to bounce to its retracted position (broken line350A) due to the forces exerted during its movement across the shuttle.It will also be seen that move ment of the roller platen to its fullline position, also moves the record tape downwardly below pin 1% thustaking up any slack in the tape between guide rollers 92 and 94 and pin100.

Continued rotation of crank means 370 will cause slide 324 to moveleftwardly to its fully extended terminal position, indicated by brokenlines 390, at the lefthand end of rods 320 and 322. When the slidereaches this position, crank arm 372 will be pointing directly to theleft. Continued movement thereof in a clockwise direction will exert aforce to the right, first effecting clockwise rotation of platen block346 and thus the platen roller from its printing condition shown by thebroken line circle 332, to the retracted condition shown by broken lines394. Further movement of the crank in a clockwise direction will thenmove the slide to the right, returning it to its retracted positionwhile maintaining the platen in its retracted condition during thismovement and out of contact with the shuttle.

Simultaneously with the return movement of the platen during a printingcycle, as just described, means is provided to feed the record tapeacross the shuttle thus to present a clean portion over the shuttle fora subsequent printing cycle. As previously described, threading of therecord tape through the apparatus passes it between jaws 102 and 104 ofa tape feeding mechanism 106 (FIG. 1).

With reference now to FIGS. 13 and 16, it is seen that jaw 104 extendsforwardlytoward the viewer, as seen in FIG. 13, to the right as seen inFIG. l6as an integral part of an upwardly extending plate 430 slidablymounted on a vertically positioned guide member 404 secured to baseplate 33 as by leg portions 406.

A pair of spaced rollers 438 are carried by plate 401) and ride in agroove 402 in guide member 404 which is sandwiched between plate 400 anda back plate 410 resiliently secured to the assembly by spring washers412 on the ends of pins 414 forming the axles of the rollers 468.Friction elements 4% are provided on both sides of plate4fi4 and areresiliently urged against the plate by spring washers 412 to providesome frictional resistance. to the movement of the feeder 104 during acycle of operation. The jaw 102 is pivotally mounted on plate 400 of jaw104 by a pin 418. Pivotally connected to the upper end 420 of movablejaw 102 by pin 422 is one end of an actuating link 424, the other end ofwhich is secured to the slide member 324, as indicated at 426 on FIG.13.

.Now 'it will be understood that movement of slide 324 by crank 37% willdrag link 424 along with it, and

by reason of the frictionalresistance of elements 416 (see FIG. 16),movement of the link to the left first will cause the pivotally mountedjaw 102 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 13,away from fixed jaw 104 until stopped by pin 425, disengaging the jawsfrom the record medium and permitting the record medium to remainvstationary during the printing portion of the cycle. After the slidereaches its terminal position and begins its return to its startingposition, the frictional resistance of pin 338 on guide rail 320' (seeFIG. 15) will tend to hold the slide in its advanced position thuseffecting rotation of the platen block 346 in a clockwise direction tothe broken line position 3194 in FIG. 13. At the same time, thefrictional resistance of elements 416 on the plate 404 will tend to holdjaw 104 in the broken line position shown at 428. Thus, when slide-324begins its return movement, a stronger force will urge jaw 162 to rotatein a clockwise direction as urged by link 4-24 causing the jaw to movedownwardly to the position shown at 4150' in FIG. 13 gripping the recordtape at that point. Continued movement of the mechanism to its startingposition will now feed the tape to the right and draw an unrecordedportion from the tape supply into printing position over the shuttle.Normally the movement required of slide 324 is more than needed to feeda clean portion of tape over the shuttle, therefore to save tape, a lostmotion slot 424A is provided in the right-hand end-of link 424.

As understood from the description above, motor 174 will rotate gear 164one complete revolution, thus, in turn, exerting a driving force on thesheaves 152 of the take-up reels 116 and 118. But as long as jaws 102and 194 aregripping the paper or the platen roller is in contact withthe shuttle it will be impossible for the tape to be fed through themachine, therefore the sheaves rotate independently of the shafts uponwhich they are mounted, and consequentlythere is no rotation of thetake-up reels. However, on the return movement of the tape feedmechanism the tape willbe moved to the right freeing the take-upreels'for rotation by means of their friction clutches (FIG. 3) thus totakev up the slack in the record tape as it is fed to a new printingposition. It should be understood that in this embodiment the drivingforce of the take-up reels is not sufficient to overcome the brakingforce of the supply reel, therefore paper advance is only by means ofthe paper feed mechanism. One complete rotation of gear 164 issufficient to rotate the take-up reels 116 and 118 more than enough totake up the amount of tape fed by the tape feed means on each cycle ofoperation, and therefore, during each cycle there may be periods at boththe beginning and end of a cycle when the reels will not be rotated eventhough sheaves 11 18 are turning. It will also be understood that byreason of the slip clutch means, the amount of rotation of each oftake-up reels 116 and 118 may vary thereby to accommodate the differencein the amount of feed of tape layers 84 and 86 by reason of thedisplacement of the take-up reels from each other and the difference inthe length of the respective layers. The gripping portion 102A of jaw1412, as seen in FIG. 16, is adjacent the inner edge of the tape, thenon-gripping extensions of both jaws 192 and 1% being provided forfacilitating the threading of the tape through the machine, as describedabove.

In the use of the apparatus in the environment set forth in the abovementioned co-pending application, it is desired to have the mechanism ina completely enclosed locked housing whereby the tape record is sealedagainst mutilation or tampering during operation of the mechanism. Thishousing is shown in FIG. 21 and consists of a box-like casing 449completely enclosing the mechanism except for the narrow slot 442- Whichis formed in the front wall of the housing bet-ween the-lower edge of anaccess door 444 rand-the housing, just above the shuttle mechanism; Thedoor 444 is hinged to the housing across the top thereof as indicated at445, and is locked to the housing by means of a latch 446 just above astarter button 4-43 and a ta e out light 45% described hereinafter.

1d Inthis figure the shuttle is shown. near its extended positionwherein it receives the charge or key plates 202, 204 and 296'.

With the shuttle in its completely extended position, the frame 208'i-sin its raised condition (broken line 25am FIG. 12) and the tab 232 (FIG.10) on its rear cross-rail 229 will be out of contact with plunger 238thus permitting an edge 251 of a charge-voucher V (FIG. 20) to beinserted between the tab and the plunger. Movement of the shuttle toits-retractedposition causes the voucher to be gripped and held by thetab and plunger, and moved into the housing through slot 442 and beneathtape layer 86 (FIG. 1). The vouchers may take other forms than thatshown, but this one is exemplary. Those portions of the voucheridentified with the letter c are carbon paper thus to imprint the plateindicia on the portions" marked V1, V2'and V3, during a printing cycle.

In a modification-of the invention, the spring pressed plunger 248 (FIG.7) and the rear tab 2440f cross-rail 229 may beelirninated along withthe cam 263 (FIG. 12), all being replaced by a cam track 466, as shownin FIG. 22. In this modification the cam pin 262 is guided throughoutits travcl-by'the cam surface 462, being urged thereagainst by the lightspring 256, one of which is shown in FIG. 11.

During movement to its extended position, the shuttle frame'2d3 isopened by contact of pin 2&2 with'cam track portion 464, similar inshape to tab 254 (FIG. 12). At its right-hand end, as seen in thisfigure, the cam surface 462 is provided with a slightly raised portionthus to effect additional plate clamping force on-the frame at the endof the shuttle movement to its fully retracted position.

As described, it is important in this embodiment that the recorder notbe operated without tape asno permanent record would be made. Therefore,means has been provided to indicate when the tape is about exhausted. InFIG. 1- a tape feeler arrn 470 is shown pivota'lly mounted to base plate30 by pin 472 and resting against the tape roll. A similar arm 474connected at its base 476 to feeler arm 4-7tl'is' arranged at the rearof flange 66. As the tape diminishes the arms will follow and the pathof movement will be such that arm 4.74 will effect actuation of thetape-out switch SW6 secured to the rear face of base plate 30',breakingthe operating circuit and lighting signal lamp 450, as describedbelow. Actuation is effected by means of the wire 477 carried by switchactuating arm 4'78 pivotally mounted on the switch. The'wire extendsfrom the arm into the path of movement or" arm 474.

Control circuit While the recorder is operable in response to sensing ofan issued package as described in the above mentioned co-pendingapplica-tionand reference may be had thereto, for the description ofsuch operationthe schematic ofFIG. 23is primarily for independentoperation in response to closing of a start switch SW5. However, beforedescribing the operation in response to closing switch SW5, adescription of the functions of the various switches and relays will behelpful.

SW3 is the stop switch seen in'FlG. 2 on the back of base plate 30. Itsfunction is twofold; first it permits the motor to complete its cycleonce it has started; and secondly when the cam C1 transfers the commoncontact from the N/C side of the switch to the N/O side, it will breakthe motor circuit and discharge capacitor C13 through its points thus tobrake the motor to a stop.

SW4 is the recycle switch also seen in FIG. 2 next to switch SW3; Whenthe cam hits this switch, its N/O con tact picks relay K10.

SW5, as mentioned above, is the start switch which is operated by a pushbutton 448 located on the front panel of the recorder housing 449.

SW6 is the tape-out switch mentioned above, and seen in FIG. 2. Withtape in the recorder the N/() contacts of the'switch cooperate with"other switches to complete the circuit to energize the recorder.When-the tape is depleted, the common of the switch is transferred toits N/C contact, breaking the operating circuit, and simultaneouslyenergizing the tape-out light 450.

SW7, SW9 and SW10 are the key plate switches also seen in FIG. 2. Theseare normally open switches op erated by plates on .the shuttle, and allthree must be closed before the recorder can be operated.

SW11 comprises an interlock switch which is associated with latch 446(FIG. 21). The key that is used to open the door 444 operates thisswitch to prevent operation of the recorder when the door is unlocked.

K10 is an interlock relay not shown in the other figures of thedrawings, but used to prevent double cycling of the recorder by anoperator.

K14 is the shuttle solenoid 285 (FIG. 6). When this is energized, amechanical interlock, as described heretofore, will prevent the shuttlefrom being pulled out while the recorder is operating.

K16 is the validating solenoid 292 (FIG. 6).

The operation of the equipment is as follows: the operator places thethree plates on the shuttle, pushes the shuttle into place, anddepresses the start button 448 causing the recorder to operate for onecycle only. It will not operate again until the shuttle is withdrawnfrom the unit thus to release the interlock relay K10. When this is donethe recorder is ready for another cycle of operation.

In the operating circuit (FIG. 23), the common A.C. line is the returnline of all the circuits and may be followed from one side of the lineto pin 1, then successively through interlock switch SW11, shuttleswitches SW7, SW9, SW10, pins and 8, to the left to G of interlock relayK10, and to the right to the tape-out light 450 and G of shuttlesolenoid K14, then to the negative side of capacitor C13, to G ofvalidating solenoid K16, and A of the motor.

When the door 444 (FIG. 21) is closed, inter lock switch SW11 is closed,and with all three key plates 202, 204 and 206 in place on the shuttlein its retracted position, switches SW7, SW9, and SW10 are closed,completing the common 1 A.C. line circuit.

When the start button switch SW5 is depressed, the circuit to start themotor is completed from the other side of the A.C. line successivelythrough pin 13, tape-out switch SW6 N/O (now closed because ofsuflicient tape on reel 34) pins 1.1 and 9, start switch SW5 (nowclosed), pins 16 and 14, and K10-4 N/C to pin 3. From pin 3. the circuitbranches out to pin 2 thus to energize the shuttle lock solenoid K14,and to pin 17 to complete the circuit to B, starting the motor. Afterthe motor has started, the cam C1 (FIG. 2) will move off stop switch SW3which transfers to its N/ C side and the motor will operate continuouslyuntil the cam again transfers the contact of this switch. With the motorcircuit completed through the N/C contact of SW3, the motor operatesindependently of the start switch as follows: from one side of the line(pin 12) to the common of stop switch SW3 through SW3 N/ C to the motor.Components R6 and C14 are are suppressor components. While the motor isrunning through the contacts of SW3, capacitor C13 is being chargedthrough CRIS and R7.

As the recorder nears completion of the cycle, the cam will closerecycle switch SW4 momentarily, to energize or pick interlock relay K10as follows: from one side of the line through pin 12 to the common ofSW4 N/O, to-

pin '7 which branches out to pins 4 and 18. 'The. line to pin 4 willpick relay K10, while the line from pin 18 will hold relay K10 throughpin 12, K10-1 now closed (as a result of picking K10 through SW4)through pins 18 and ing the motor circuit to stop the motor. At the sametime shuttle lock K14 circuit is opened unlocking the shuttle,

and the contact on the N/O side will discharge capacitor C13 through themotor winding stopping the motor from drifting or over-running.Discharge of the capacitor is as follows: the negative side of thecapacitor to side A of the motor, and the positive side to side B of themotor through the common contact of K10-2, K10-2A, pins 19 and 15, andthe N/O side and common of SW3.

After the recorder has completed its cycle, it will be impossible for itto restart without resetting. If the start button is depressed aftercompletion of a cycle the circuit will not be completed to start themotor because of K104 switch being open.

If the tape in the equipment should run out, the common of tape-outswitch SW6 is transferred to the N/C side which will light the tape-outlight, and at the same time open the start circuit of the recorderpreventing its operation. Should the tape run out in the middle of acycle, the unit will not stop until completion of the cycle. This ispossible because the circuit for the recorder is completed directly fromone side of the line at pin 12 and through stop switch SW3 to the motor.

The validating solenoid is not used in the independent operation of therecorder, as described above, but is provided for use in the systemdescribed and claimed in the above identified co-pending application toshow that an article was dispensed, contact 21 being provided for thispurpose.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 differs fromthe preferred form primarily in the construction of the roller platenmechanism and its operative relationship with the movable shuttle.

The top surface of the shuttle 504 is concave in the areas upon whichthe patient and drug plates are supported. The roller platen mechanism506 comprises roller 503 having its ends journalled in a pair of spacedL-shaped arm members 510 and 512 each pivotally mounted at 514 onopposite sides of a slide member 516' comprising a pair of blocks 518and 520 mounted on horizontally positioned guide nods 522 and 524respectively. The rods are supported on base plate 526 between walls 528and 530 projecting forwardly from the base plate and fixed thereto, asby set screws 532.

Means for sliding the member 516 across guide rods 522 and 524, thus tomove the roller 508 over and in contact with the shuttle whereby theindicia on key plates 202, 204, and 206 mounted on the shuttle may beprinted on the record medium, as described above, is provided by a motor534 and a crank 536 attached to the outer end of motor shaft 538. Theouter end 539 of crank 536 is pivotally connected by pin 540 to aconnecting rod 542, the other end of which is pivotally connected to apin extending between and interconnecting slide blocks 518 and 520.

The roller 508 is biased downwardly to its terminal printing position bya coil spring 544 surrounding a shaft 546 having its lower end connectedto the horizontal arms 548 of the L-shaped links 510 and 512, asindicated at 550. The upper end of shaft 546 extends through a slot 552in the connecting rod 542 adjacent slide number 516 and has a pair oflock nuts 554 threaded on its upper end whereby the terminal position ofthe roller 508 may be adjusted in accordance with the printing pressuredesired.

While the paper tape has not been shown in this figure, it will beunderstood that it will be fed from the supply reel 556 to the left andseparated over guide rollers 558, course downwardly over guide rollers560, to the right over shuttle 504 under the roller platen 508, throughthe jaws 562 and 564 of the feeding mechanism 565, around the guiderollers 566, and upwardly over guide rollers 567 to terminate on thetake-up reels 568 and 570.

5 22 and 524. In this regard, the left-hand end 573 of drag link 572 isconnected to the pin 514 on the inner side of block 520 adjacent baseplate 526, while its other end is connected to the upper end of thepivotally mounted jaw 564 of the feeding mechanism 565 by pin 574. Itwill be understood that movement of link 572 during movement of theplaten mechanism 506 to the right, as described hereinafter, causes thejaw 564 to be pivoted in a clockwise direction to move its rightwardprojecting finger portion 576 against the fixed jaw S62, first to gripthe record tape and then move an unprinted portion of the tape over theshuttle for a subsequent printing operation. Counter-clockwise rotationof the jaw see is terminated by the stop pin 577. The jaws 562 and 564are both carried by a block 573 slidably mounted on a track 579 on baseplate 526.

The particular advantage afforded by this modified form of the inventionwill be more clearly understood withreference of FIG. 25. In this figurethe large circle 580'on the right illustrates the path of movement ofpin 541 interconnecting rod 542 with crank arm 53d. A cycle of operationnormally begins with the crank arm extending to the right from motorshaft 538 with pin 540 at the extreme right-hand side of the circle 580,and the connecting rod 542 extending directly to the left to the pin 514from which depend the angle members 510 and 512 of the platen mechanism506 placing the roller 56 3 in its start position adjacent the upperright-hand corner 582 of the shuttle 502.

Now, when the start button is actuated-as described heretofore-the crank536 moves downwardly from its position indicated by the small circle 584at the extreme right of the large circle 589, with the connecting rod542 assuming an increasing angular relationship relative to and belowguide rods 522 and 524 and simultaneously therewith, by reason of itsmovement to the left, moving the slide member 516 to the left across therods 522 and 524. Almost immediately upon the start of this movement,platen roller 503 is brought into contact with the patient key plate onthe top of the shuttle. When the crank pin 540 reaches the position ofsmall circle 586 at the bottom of large circle 5S0, roller 508 has movedacross the patient plate and is at the lowermost portion of the topsurface of the shuttle (508A) following the path of movement indicatedby line 588.

Continued rotation of the crank arm 536 to the position extendingdirectly to the left as indicated in FIG. by the small circle 5%, movesroller 5% successively over the drug plate and the nurses plate on theremaining top portions of the shuttle to terminate at 598b,corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 24. Continued rotation ofcrank 536 now raises the connecting rod 542 in an increasing angularrelationship above rods 522' and 524 thus to raise the platen roller 508above the shuttle 502 during its return to the start position and duringwhich it will follow the path indicated by the line 594.

By reason of the above-described construction a substantially uniformpressure is applied against the record medium ortape as the roller movesover the plates on the top surface of the shuttle. The normal path ofthe roller in the absence of the shuttle would be that indicated by theline 596, its displacement from thisline being indicated by the shadedareabetween the lines 596 and 58S thus-to represent the amount ofpressure exerted by the spring 544 during printing of the indicia on therecord medium. In the preferred form of the invention the movement ofthe platen is in a straight line during its movement both to and fromextended and retractingpositions, whereby substantially uniform pressureis applied. From the above it is understood that in both forms of theinvention a substantially uniform printing pressure is applied during arecording cycle.

We claim:

1. A cyclically operable recorder comprising:

(a) support means for removably supporting indicia bearing key platemeans;

(b) a roller;

(c) guide means for said roller fixed above and spaced from said supportmeans;

(02) means mounting said roller on said guide means for movement acrosssaid key plate support means through a cycle of operation to and fromretracted and extended terminal positions on transversely opposite sidesof said support means, said mounting means permitting limited relativemovement of said roller toward and away from said support means;

(e) means for carrying a supply of record tape;

(1) take-up means for receiving said tape from said pp y;

(g) means for guiding said tape from said supply over said key platesupport means under said roller and to said take-up means;

(It) actuating means for moving said roller to and from its extended andretracted positions and simultaneously therewith urging said roller andtherefore said tape tightly against said key plate when in said supportmeans during such movement of the roller from its retracted to itsextended terminal position, and away from such contact on return of theroller to its retracted terminal position, thus to make an impression ofsaid key plate indicia on said tape only on its movement to the extendedposition.

(1') means responsive to the movement of said roller moving means on itsreturn movement to said retracted terminal position to grip and advancesaid tape incrementally to said take-up means during the said returnmovement thus to move a different portion of said tape over'said keyplate supporting means for subsequent impression'of key plate indiciathereon;

(i) motor means for effecting a cycle of operation of said actuatingmeans to move said roller from its retracted position to its extendedposition and return it to its retracted position; and

(k) control means for the starting and'stopping of said motor tocomplete each cycle of operation; wherein (A) said tape supply meanscomprises,

(1) a reel of tape, and (2) friction brake means for said reel; and (B)said take-up means comprises,

('1) a reel upon which said tape is received, (2) friction drive meansfor said reel, said drive means being of less force than said brakemeans whereby tape feed is only by said tape advance means; and (3)means for driving said friction drive means by said motor means.

2; A recorder according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said tape comprises two layers;

([1) said guide means'includes spindle means for separating said layers;and

(c) said tape take-up means includes a reel for each tape layer.

3. A recorder according to claim 1 and further includ- (a)electro-mechanically operated means for validating the operation of saidrecorder by recording a validat ing mark on said tape duringimprintingof said plate indicia.

4. A recorder according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said key plate support means comprises a movable shuttle member; andfurther includes;

(1)) means supporting said shuttle for movement transverse tothe'movement of said tape between a first position wherein said keyplate is under said tape, and a second position wherein said plate isnot under the tape and in a position convenient for placement of a keyplate on, or removal thereof from said shuttle.

5. A recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein;

(a) said guide means extends transversely across and spaced above saidkey plate supporting means;

and wherein said roller mounting means comprises, said first positionand away from said shuttle upon (b) a first member movably mounted uponsaid guide movement of said shuttle to its said second position,

means; whereby said plate may be placed upon or removed a second membermounted upon said first member from said shuttle.

for limited pivotal movement relative thereto be- 10. A recorderaccording to claim 9 and further intween first and second positions withone end thereof eluding:

adjacent said key plate supporting means with said (a)electro-mechanical means for positively locking roller being carried bythe said one end of the second said shuttle in its retracted positionduring recording.

member; and wherein 11. A recorder in accordance with claim 4 andfurther (:1) said actuating means during initial movement from 10including:

said retracted to said extended position first pivots (a) circuit meansrendered operable by said shuttle said roller carrying second memberfrom its first to when in its first position and only in the presenceits second position conditioned for-effecting an imof key plates on saidshuttle to condition said repression of said indicia upon said recordtape as said corder for a recording cycle of operation. roller movesover said key plates, and upon return 12. A recorder according to claim9 wherein: movement of said first member to its retracted posi- (a) saidshuttle includes means for supporting and holdtion, to move said secondmember to its first position ing a plurality of key plates side by side;and with said roller out of contact with said key plates, (b) circuitmeans rendered operable by said shuttle said first and second positionsof said second memwhen in its first position and only in the presenceher being on opposite sides of a vertical line drawn of said pluralityof key plates on said shuttle to conthrough its pivotal mounting wherebyprinting dition said recorder for a cycle of operation. forces are in adirection to prevent rebound of said 13. A recorder according to claim 9and further insecond member to its first position during a printingeluding: operation. (a) means on said cage cooperating with said shuttle6. A recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein said for clamping anadditional record medium on said roller guide means and said rollermounting means comshuttle during recording. prises; 14. A recoreraccording to claim 12 wherein said cir- (a) fixed guide rail meansextending transversely across cuit means further includes:

and spaced above said key plate supporting means; (a) a tape-out switchfor inactivating said circuit; and

(b) a first member movably mounted upon said guide (b) feeler meansurged against said tape supply in a rail means; manner so to actuatesaid switch when said tape sup- (c) a second member mounted upon saidfirst member ply runs out.

for limited pivotal movement relative thereto be- 15. A recorderaccording to claim 14 wherein saidcirtween first and second positionswith one end thereor cuit means further includes: of adjacent said keyplate supporting means with (a) reset means to prevent reactuation ofsaid motor said roller being carried by the said one end; and withoutfirst moving said shuttle toward its terminal wherein extended position.

(d) said actuating means during initial movement from 16. A recorderacconding to claim 15 wherein said resaid retracted to said extendedposition first pivots 4 set means comprises: said roller carrying secondmember into position for (a) a relay;

effecting an impression of said indicia upon said rec- (b) a resetswitch; 0rd tape then moves said first member over said roll- (c) meansfor actuating said reset switch for energizing er guide means and saidroller over said key plates, said relay; and

and upon initiation of return movement to retracted (d) means operableby said shuttle movement to deposition'moves said roller carrying memberto a posienergize said relay.

tion wherein said roller is out of contact with said 17. A recorderaccording to claim 16 wherein said cirkey plates, and finally moves saidroller carrying cuit further includes:

member and said movable member to the retracted (a) a stop switch; and

position. (b) cam means operable by said motor for operating 7. Arecorder in accordance with claim 6 wherein: said reset switch and saidstop switch in sequence,

(a) said second member comprises an arm pivotally defirst to actuatesaid reset relay, then to shut oil the pending from said first member;and wherein said motor. actuating means comprises,

(b) a crank for rotation by said motor means; and References Cited y theExamine! (c) a connecting rod interconnecting said crank and UNITEDSTATES PATENTS said second member at the end opposite tothe end carryingthe roller thus to afiect the pivotal move- 2 giiig ment of said secondmember on said first member to 41 9/29 Cole y 101 274 move the rollertoward and away from the key plates 1986655 1/35 a i support means. I e

8. A recorder in accordance with claim 4 wherein: g

(a) said shuttle includes means for clamping said key 302O994 2/62 Kirk1O1 269 Plate lghfly t t 3,058,416 10/62 Grant et al 101--269 9. Aconstruction according to claim 8 wherein said 3 061 143v 10/62 Simjian346 22 clamping means comprises:

(a) a frame pivotally mounted on said shuttle, and WILLIAM]; PENNPrimary Examiner (b) cam means for moving said frame tightly againstsaid key plate upon movement of said shuttle to its LEO SMILOW,Examiner,

1. A CYCLICALLY OPERABLE RECORDER COMPRISING: (A) SUPPORT MEANS FORREMOVABLY SUPPORTING INDICIA BEARING KEY PLATE MEANS; (B) A ROLLER; (C)GUIDE MEANS FOR SAID ROLLER FIXED ABOVE AND SPACED FROM SAID SUPPORTMEANS; (D) MEANS MOUNTING SAID ROLLER ON SAID GUIDE MEANS FOR MOVEMENTACROSS SAID KEY PLATE SUPPORT MEANS THROUGH A CYLCE OF OPERATION TO ANDFROM RETRACTED AND EXTENDED TERMINAL POSITIONS ON TRANSVERSELY OPPOSITESIDES OF SAID SUPPORT MEANS, SAID MOUNTING MEANS PERMITTING LIMITEDRELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID ROLLER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID SUPPORTMEANS; (E) MEANS FOR CARRYING A SUPPLY OF RECORD TAPE; (F) TAKE-UP MEANSFOR RECEIVING SAID TAPE FROM SAID SUPPLY; (G) MEANS FOR GUIDING SAIDTAPE FROM SAID SUPPLY OVER SAID KEY PLATE SUPPORT MEANS UNDER SAIDROLLER AND TO SAID TAKE-UP MEANS; (H) ACTUATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAIDROLLER TO AND FROM ITS EXTENDED AN RETRACTED POSITIONS ANDSIMULTANEOUSLY THEREWITH URGING SAID ROLLER AND THEREFORE SAID TAPETIGHTLY AGAINST SAID KEY PLATE WHEN IN SAID SUPPORT MEANS DURING SUCHMOVEMENT OF THE ROLER FROM ITS RETRACTED TO ITS EXTENDED TERMINALPOSITION, AND AWAY FROM SUCH CONTACT ON RETURN OF THE ROLLER TO ITSRETRACTED TERMINAL POSITION, THUS TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION OF SAID KEYPLATE INDICIA ON SAID TAPE ONLY ON ITS MOVEMENT TO THE EXTENDEDPOSITION. (I) MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID ROLLER MOVINGMEANS ON ITS RETURN MOVEMENT TO SAID RETRACTED TERMINAL POSITION TO GRIPAND ADVANCE SAID TAPE INCREMENTALLY TO SAID TAKE-UP MEANS DURING THESAID RETURN MOVEMENT THUS TO MOVE A DIFFERENT PORTION OF SAID TAPE OVERSAID KEY PLATE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SUBSEQUENT IMPRESSION OF KEY PLATEINDICIA THEREON; (J) MOTOR MEANS FOR EFFECTING A CYCLE OF OPERATION OFSAID ACTUATING MEANS TO MOVE SAID ROLLER FROM ITS RETRACTED POSITION TOITS EXTENDED POSITION AND RETURN IT TO ITS RETRACTED POSITION; AND (K)CONTROL MEANS FOR THE STARTING AND STOPPING OF SAID MOTOR TO COMPLETEREACH CYCLE OF OPERATION; WHEREIN (A) SAID TAPE SUPPLY MEANS COMPRISES,(1) A REEL OF TAPE, AND (2) FRICTION BRAKE MEANS FOR SAID WHEEL; AND (B)SAID TAKE-UP MEANS COMPRISES, (1) A REEL UPON WHICH SAID TAPE ISRECEIVED; (2) FRICITON DRIVE MEANS FOR SAID REEL, SAID DRIVE MEANS BEINGOF LESS FORCE THAN SAID BRAKE MEANS WHEREBY TAPE FEED IS ONLY BY SAIDTAPE ADVANCE MEANS; AND (3) MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID FRICTION DRIVE MEANSBY SAID MOTOR MEANS.